1st Advantage MortgageOwyhee County households have a median income of $64,406 and median rent of $821 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Idaho license first.
On this page
- Owyhee County at a glance
- Rent, home values and ownership in Owyhee County
- How much Owyhee County households make
- The Owyhee County job picture
- Regional comparison for Owyhee County
- Towns and communities in Owyhee County
- Room for a loan payment in Owyhee County
- Owyhee County households compared
- Reading the Owyhee County data as a borrower
- Lender oversight for Owyhee County
- Four steps for Owyhee County borrowers
- More guides for Owyhee County
- Frequently asked questions
Owyhee County at a glance
With an estimated 12,503 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Owyhee County ranks 26th of 44 in Idaho for population. It covers 7,668 square miles of land, or about 2 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Boise City, ID metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Homedale is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 3,069 people (25% of the county total).
Rent, home values and ownership in Owyhee County
Renters in Owyhee County pay a median of $821 a month, 34% below the Idaho figure of $1,238. 37% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 8% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $359,800, about 5.6 times the median household income. Owners occupy 73% of homes. Median construction year: 1984.
| Home costs | Owyhee County | Idaho | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $821/mo | $1,238/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $359,800 | $418,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 47% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 21.7% | 6.9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Owyhee County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
How much Owyhee County households make
Owyhee County households have a median income of $64,406 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 31st of 44 in Idaho.
| Income band | Share in Owyhee County | Difference from Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.6% | +5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.6% | +5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.8% | -6.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -5.2 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.2% of Owyhee County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Idaho. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
The Owyhee County job picture
The biggest employer of Owyhee County residents, by industry, is construction at 18% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (17%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 17% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 76% drive to work alone and 24% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 3.5% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Owyhee County | Difference from Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 18.4% | +9.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.8% | +12.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.7% | +3.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.3% | -8.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.3% | -2.4 pts |
| Other services | 5.5% | +0.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Regional comparison for Owyhee County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Owyhee County's, from 61 to 83 miles away. Ada County leads the group on income ($91,502), Malheur County trails ($54,519), and Owyhee County out-earns 2 of the six. The list crosses into Oregon, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owyhee County | - | $64,406 | $821/mo | 73% |
| Ada County, ID | 61 mi | $91,502 | $1,577/mo | 71% |
| Elmore County, ID | 67 mi | $65,359 | $1,243/mo | 66% |
| Gooding County, ID | 75 mi | $63,559 | $880/mo | 71% |
| Canyon County, ID | 77 mi | $76,488 | $1,347/mo | 76% |
| Twin Falls County, ID | 79 mi | $67,409 | $1,089/mo | 70% |
| Malheur County, OR | 83 mi | $54,519 | $821/mo | 63% |
Towns and communities in Owyhee County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Owyhee County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 5,099 residents, leaving about 59% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Owyhee County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homedale | city | 3,069 | $62,117 | $1,078 | 81 mi |
| Marsing | city | 1,306 | $70,202 | $654 | 74 mi |
| Grand View | city | 472 | $58,092 | $777 | 29 mi |
| Murphy | CDP | 170 | $76,116 | n/a | 48 mi |
| Bruneau | CDP | 82 | $40,375 | n/a | 29 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Room for a loan payment in Owyhee County
How much room does a median Owyhee County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $64,406 a year is $5,367 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $821, takes 15% of that
- Under a 35% cap, $1,879 total minus rent leaves $1,058
- Under a 45% cap, $2,415 total minus rent leaves $1,594
If your rent is above $821, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Owyhee County households compared
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. 21.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Owyhee County | Idaho | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0 | 37.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.4% | 31.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 21.8% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 21.9% | 9.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.5% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.6% | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.2% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.2% |
| 60+ min | 12.3% |
Reading the Owyhee County data as a borrower
What the Owyhee County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Owyhee County. For the 22% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Long drives. With 24% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Owyhee County budgets.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 22% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
Lender oversight for Owyhee County
Consumer lenders serving Owyhee County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Idaho that is the Idaho Department of Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Idaho: Idaho personal loans.
Four steps for Owyhee County borrowers
Steps that save money for Owyhee County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Owyhee County
For statewide rules and data, see the Idaho guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Owyhee County a high-income county?
Its $64,406 median ranks 31st of 44 Idaho counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Owyhee County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $821 a month; 37% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Owyhee County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Homedale, Marsing, Grand View, Murphy, Bruneau.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Owyhee County or elsewhere in Idaho, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Owyhee County residents?
The Idaho Department of Finance licenses consumer lenders in Idaho; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.